Alienware m15 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070 Max-Q) Laptop Review

Alien on a diet.
Alienware's first ultra-thin laptop maintains the spirit of the original Alienware 15 R4 while propelling the series forward into the super-light gaming category. Of course, some sacrifices had to be made when moving to a smaller design, but it's mostly a success especially in terms of Turbo Boost performance and chassis rigidity.

Unveiled in October, the Alienware m15 is Dell's answer to the increasing demand for thin-and-light enthusiast gaming laptops made popular by the advent of Nvidia's Max-Q series. The traditional mainline Alienware 13, 15, and 17 series that we've been familiar with all these years just can't compete against the sleeker, sharper, and lighter MSI GS65, Asus Zephyrus GX501/GX531, Gigabyte Aero 15X, or Razer Blade 15 that have since appeared. Thus, pressure was on Dell to shrink the Alienware 15 form factor into something more bite-sized and the result is what we have here today in our labs.

As of this writing, SKUs are limited to the Core i7-8750H CPU with either GTX 1060 standard or GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics and a potential for GTX 1080 by early next year. Display options range from 1080p60 to 1080p144 or 2160p60 (or 4K UHD). Our test unit on hand is the upper mid-range SKU retailing for about $1900 USD.

Dell has made it clear that the Alienware m15 is its own series and that it will not replace the existing Alienware 15 lineup anytime soon. Even so, we'll be comparing it directly to the Alienware 15 R4 to catch the pros and cons of the smaller chassis as well the aforementioned ultra-thin alternatives that the new Alienware is competing with.

Case

With both the Alienware 15 R4 and Alienware m15 on hand, we can directly compare Dell's new ultrathin design to the original. In short, the m15 comes close in terms of rigidity with its excellent torsional resistance around the thinner base and smaller lid. It's slightly more flexible overall, but creaking is minimal at worst for a firm and high quality impression much like on the original series. Where it's noticeably weaker is the center of its chiclet keyboard as it is slightly more susceptible to flexing than the beveled keyboard of the Alienware 15 R4. Beyond that, we're thoroughly impressed at how Alienware has managed to create a thin-and-light notebook while maintaining a strong first impression.

Visually, the m15 utilizes magnesium alloy for the base and outer lid, the same rubberized palm rests as the 15 R4, and new glossy plastic for the speaker grilles and bezel rims. The glossy surfaces are a mixed bag when compared to the uniform matte bezels of the larger model or unibody design of the competing Blade 15 as they look a bit cheap for a notebook in this price range. Additionally, fingerprint and grease will buildup on the palm rests, trackpad, and keyboard relatively quickly. The two hinges are smaller than the hinges on the Alienware 15 R4 and slightly weaker for a bit more teetering as a result.

Construction quality is excellent with no major gaps or crevices between materials on our test unit. It's not entirely perfect, however, as the bottom bezel does not sit flat against the edge of the screen and so a small gap is visible. This gap does not appear on the Alienware 15 R4.

The size and weight differences between the Alienware 15 R4 and m15 can't be understated. The new system is 38 percent lighter and 30 percent smaller than its larger sibling all while offering the same size display. Dell was able to achieve this by narrowing the side bezels and removing the large rear "jet-engine" ventilation grilles present on the Alienware 15 and Alienware 17. If anything, the m15 only exacerbates how large and unwieldy the original Alienware design can be these days.

Even with this in mind, the m15 is still thicker and larger than competing ultrathin 15-inch gaming laptops especially in terms of width. Its two side bezels may be narrow, but the top and bottom bezels are very thick for a larger footprint. Thus, its excellent rigidity comes at the cost of size and weight in relative terms. The Blade 15 feels just as strong as the Alienware m15, if not more so, while being smaller and lighter.

Connectivity

The Alienware m15 has the exact same ports as the Razer Blade 15 but with one special extra: the proprietary Graphics Amplifier port. Unlike Thunderbolt 3, this port offers the full PCIe x16 bandwidth for the external Alienware Graphics dock should users choose to go that route.

Port positioning has its pros and cons. While the side ports are easy to reach, they occupy desk space and are rather close to the front. The commonly used USB Type-C port on the rear can be annoying to access since it is quite small. The larger Alienware 15 includes two USB Type-C ports to avoid this small nuisance.

There is still no SD card reader which shouldn't be surprising since the larger standard model omits one as well.

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Communication

Serviceable M.2 WLAN module

All current SKUs come standard with the Killer 1550 for integrated Bluetooth 5 and theoretical transfer rates of 1.73 Gbps. Its key advantages over the Intel 9560 are its Killer Control Center software and customizeable network prioritization features that hardcore gamers may appreciate. The module can also turn the notebook into an access point to extend the wireless range of a home network.

Our test server is limited by a 1 Gbps line and so the Killer 1550 can perform faster than what we've recorded below. We didn't experience any connectivity issues during our time with the unit.

Maintenance

Serviceability requires a Philips screwdriver and sharp edge. Gone is the reinforced skeleton of the Alienware 15 series for a completely open motherboard design. Servicing is thus easier on the m15 at the cost of a slightly more flexible base as we've noted above. Even so, we're glad that additional disassembly is not required to service most components unlike on the MSI GS65.

Open motherboard as opposed to the thicker and more protective skeleton of the Alienware 15

Accessories and Warranty

There are no extras in the box outside of the Quick Start guide and warranty card. A cleaning cloth or carrying case would have been nice additions.

Input Devices

Keyboard

Dell has completely revamped the keyboard. Whereas the beveled keyboard on the 15 R4 is per-key RGB lit with no NumPad, the chiclet m15 keyboard is quad-zone RGB with a dedicated NumPad. Clatter is a bit louder but feedback feels nearly the same. The notable exceptions are the smaller first row of function keys and the Arrow keys as these are noticeably spongier on the m15 than the equivalent keys on the 15 R4. Additionally, the NumPad keys are narrower than the main QWERTY keys and they can can feel cramped to use as a result.

key travel is short at just 1.4 mm to be the same as last year's Dell Inspiron 15 7577. A deeper key travel like the 2.2 mm keys of the larger Alienware 17 or Gigabyte P55W would have made the typing experience closer to a standard desktop keyboard. Gamers may find the m15 keyboard a bit shallower than what they are accustomed to.

Annoyingly, there is no hotkey for quickly adjusting the brightness of the keyboard backlight. We can at least appreciate that all letters and symbols are highlighted when the backlight is on unlike on the Razer Blade 15 series.

Alienware Command Center home screen

Power Management settings

Audio control with equalizer

System stats when idling

System stats when Prime95+FurMark stress

Temperature and fan speed readings

Cusotmizeable logo color

Four customizeable Macro keys

Four-zone RGB backlight with 16.7 million colors

Touchpad

The trackpad on the m15 is larger than the trackpad on the 15 R4 (10.5 x 6.5 cm vs. 10.0 x 5.0 cm) despite the significant differences in chassis size. This was achieved by omitting the dedicated mouse keys found on the 15 R4. Surface texture is otherwise similar between them except that the m15 trackpad is slightly more susceptible to flexing.

The new integrated mouse keys are very shallow in travel with slightly firmer feedback than the trackpads on the XPS 15 9570 or GS65. When compared to the 15 R4, the keys have a louder and more satisfying click when pressed. It's still a trade-off because the m15 trackpad is roomier for multi-touch inputs and general cursor control while the 15 R4 is better for more accurate mouse clicks. Either way, most users will likely have an external mouse ready for gaming purposes.

1.4 mm key travel compared to 2.2 mm on the Alienware 17

The Macro keys and layout have been changed almost completely from the Alienware 15 R4

Display

Users can choose between 1080p 60 Hz, 1080p 144 Hz, or 4K UHD 60 Hz. Our 1080p 144 Hz SKU utilizes the same AU Optronics AUO80ED panel as found on the MSI GS65 and so both laptops share similar characteristics such as response times, contrast ratio, and color space. Dell advertises a 300-nit display, but our independent measurements are closer to 350 nits to be slightly brighter than the average gaming laptop.

Display quality is excellent with only a small hint of graininess common amongst matte panels. The very fast response times and high refresh rate are immediately noticeable and a boon to gaming to reduce both screen tearing and ghosting. Users who opt in for the pricier 4K UHD option will be gaining both a higher resolution and wider color gamut at the expense of slower refresh rate and response times.

Uneven backlight bleeding is very minor on our unit and there is no detectable pulse-width modulation from the display backlight.

Color coverage is approximately 58 percent and 89 percent of the AdobeRGB and sRGB standards, respectively, to be comparable to other high-end competitors like the Razer Blade 15 or MSI GS65. The panel strikes a great balance between response times and gamut that mainstream and hardcore gamers can appreciate. Cheaper panels, like the one on the Lenovo Legion Y7000, have noticeably more ghosting.

vs. sRGB

vs. AdobeRGB

Further measurements with a X-Rite colorimeter show accurate colors out of the box even though grayscale is slightly on the cooler side. Our calibration fixes the grayscale issue and improves color accuracy even further. Colors still become slightly less accurate at higher saturation levels since sRGB coverage is imperfect.

Grayscale before calibration

Saturation Sweeps before calibration

ColorChecker before calibration

Grayscale after calibration

Saturation Sweeps after calibration

ColorChecker after calibration

Display Response Times

ℹ

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.

↔ Response Time Black to White

12 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined

↗ 6.8 ms rise

↘ 5.2 ms fall

The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers.In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.8 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 10 % of all devices are better.This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (25.5 ms).

↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey

18 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined

↗ 9.2 ms rise

↘ 8.8 ms fall

The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers.In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.9 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 8 % of all devices are better.This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (40.8 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

ℹ

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.

Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 52 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 9824 (minimum: 43 - maximum: 142900) Hz was measured.

Outdoor visibility is not unlike most other gaming laptops since the display brightness is only slightly above average for its category. Remaining under shade is still the best option if possible. The wide-angle hinges can be used to reduce glare if needed.

Outdoors under sunlight

Outdoors on cloudy day

Outdoors under shade

Wide IPS viewing angles. Slight shift in colors if viewing very off angle

Performance

The Coffee Lake-H Core i7-8750H CPU directly succeeds the last generation Kaby Lake Core i7-7700HQ to become the de facto processor for mainstream to enthusiast performance laptops. GPU performance is equally high-end even though there are no GTX 1080 Max-Q options unlike on last year's Zephyrus GX501.

Nvidia Optimus is included for automatic graphics switching and power savings. G-Sync is not an option as a result.

Processor

CineBench R15

The i7-8750H in our Alienware is about 10 percent faster than the average i7-8750H in our database due to its excellent Turbo Boost performance. By running CineBench R15 Multi-Thread in a loop, we can observe that our system can maintain higher clock rates for longer than the Lenovo Legion Y7000 or Pavilion Gaming 15 each with the exact same CPU. Our initial Multi-Thread score of 1214 points drops by just 4 percent to 1169 points by the third loop. We were worried about processor performance because of the shrunken chassis, but the end result is impressive especially after the disappointing Core i9 performance on the Alienware 15 R4 and 2018 XPS 15.

See our dedicated page on the Core i7-8750H for more technical information and benchmarks.

System Performance

We experienced no hardware or software issues during our time with the test unit. When attempting to reset Windows, however, the system became stuck in a boot loop. Interestingly, this exact same behavior occurred on our HP Spectre Folio 13 unit as well.

Storage Devices

Copper heat spreader over the occupied M.2 SSD

Depending on the SKU, internal storage bays can include either 2x M.2 2280 slots (like our review unit today) or 2x M.2 2280 slots plus 1x 2.5-inch SATA III bay. The latter option ships with a smaller 60 Wh internal battery in order to make room for the 2.5-inch bay. The larger Alienware 15 R4 includes 3x storage bays by default without needing to cut battery capacity. Even so, we're surprised to even see 3x storage bays as an option since competing ultrathin laptops like the Gigabyte Aero 15x, Razer Blade 15, or MSI GS65 have just one or two storage bays at most.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 512 GB NVMe SSD in our test unit is the same Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G SSD as found on the Alienware 15 R4. While performance is good especially in regards to sequential read rates, the drive is still a step below the competing 512 GB Samsung PM961 as found on the Razer Blade 15. Toshiba NVMe SSDs in general tend to have slower sequential write rates than Samsung options.

GPU Performance

The GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q is only about 10 percent slower than the standard GTX 1070 in the Alienware 15 R4 according to 3DMark benchmarks. Users who want the lower-end configuration of the Alienware m15 with GTX 1060 graphics will see a performance decrease of about 25 to 30 percent. Should Dell decide to introduce a GTX 1080 Max-Q option in the future like on the Alienware 15 R3, then expect a graphics boost of about 15 percent or more over the GTX 1070 Max-Q when on higher resolutions.

See our dedicated page on the GTX 1070 Max-Q for more technical information and benchmarks.

Gaming Performance

We recommend the GTX 1070 Max-Q at minimum if configuring with a 1080p 144 Hz display. The extra horsepower is put to good use for reaching frame rates above 100 FPS especially for more demanding titles. If your gaming habits consist mostly of less demanding titles like Fortnite, LoL, CS:GO or Overwatch, however, then the GTX 1060 should suffice if just barely.

Frame rates when idling on Witcher 3 are stable with no recurring dips to suggest no interrupting background activity.